Range Managers

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $39K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $49K
Median Salary: $64K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $82K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $100K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Regulate grazing, such as by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards, and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems to manage, improve, protect, and maximize the use of rangelands.

Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.

Coordinate with federal land managers and other agencies and organizations to manage and protect rangelands.

Maintain soil stability and vegetation for non-grazing uses, such as wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation.

Measure and assess vegetation resources for biological assessment companies, environmental impact statements, and rangeland monitoring programs.

Offer advice to rangeland users on water management, forage production methods, and control of brush.

Study grazing patterns to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed and to determine the best grazing seasons.

Mediate agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.

Plan and direct construction and maintenance of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs, and soil-erosion control structures.

Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Tailor conservation plans to landowners' goals, such as livestock support, wildlife, or recreation.

Develop technical standards and specifications used to manage, protect, and improve the natural resources of range lands and related grazing lands.

Manage private livestock operations.

Plan and implement revegetation of disturbed sites.

Develop methods for protecting range from fire and rodent damage and for controlling poisonous plants.

Study forage plants and their growth requirements to determine varieties best suited to particular range.

Develop new and improved instruments and techniques for activities, such as range reseeding.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Data mining software
Data mining software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Map creation software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Object or component oriented development software
Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software
Microsoft Great Plains Personal Data Keeper
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Web platform development software
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Portable dataloggers
Consumer electronics
Global positioning system GPS devices
Hand tools
Laser plumb bobs
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Hand sieves
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Gram scales
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Compact digital cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Biology
80%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

English Language
77%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Geography
73%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Law and Government
71%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Administration and Management
70%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical
70%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service
68%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security
67%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Computers and Electronics
63%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training
63%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking
75%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking
75%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving
73%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making
73%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
73%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Coordination
70%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Active Learning
65%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Negotiation
65%
Importance

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Oral Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Clarity
70%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Far Vision
68%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Top 10 Work Activities
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
92%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
89%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
88%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
86%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
86%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
86%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Developing Objectives and Strategies
85%
Importance

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
84%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Analyzing Data or Information
83%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information
83%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.

Manage agricultural or forestry operations.

Issue permits or other legal documents.

Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.

Confer with others to conduct or arrange operational activities.

Communicate with government agencies.

Measure environmental characteristics.

Research livestock management methods.

Advise others about land management or conservation.

Mediate disputes.

Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.

Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.

Research crop management methods.

Develop agricultural methods.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Coordinate or Lead Others

How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Conservation Scientists
Major
Agricultural Production Operations
Plant Sciences
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Forestry
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Sustainability Studies
Geography and Environmental Studies
Interests
Investigative
86%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic
86%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising
67%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social
24%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
19%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
88%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Initiative
87%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Integrity
86%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation
85%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Independence
84%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Adaptability/Flexibility
82%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Attention to Detail
82%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Leadership
82%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Analytical Thinking
79%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Self Control
79%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Work Values
Working Conditions
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.